AHOSKIE – In just her sophomore season, she was the best golfer in the league.

Ridgecroft School’s Virginia Lane earned Medalist honors in the Tarheel Independent Conference this season, despite having two years of her prep career left.

It is little wonder to those who know her, however, as the Rams’ best golfer has been playing the sport with her dad, Todd, as long as she can remember.

“I can’t remember when I started playing,” she admitted. “My dad and I went to play golf every day after school. We still do.”

The afternoon time with her father has led to a passion for the game, Lane said. In fact, she admitted the entire sport is fun.

“I love everything about golf,” she said. “I enjoy doing it all – hitting, driving and getting that little round ball in the hole.”

This season, Lane and her Ridgecroft teammates participated in six golf matches, three of which Lane finished as the high scorer.

She then won the Tarheel Independent Conference golf tournament placed at Maccipine Country Club in Edgecombe County. She shot a 75 to win the tourney.

“I loved it,” Lane said. “It was the best round of golf I played in a tournament all year.”

One of only four girls who play golf in the TIC, Lane said it was satisfying to beat her male counterparts.

“I was very happy,” she said. “I’ve worked really hard to get to this point.”

Lane began playing at Ridgecroft in the seventh grade and earned a trip to the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association state tournament as a freshman and again this season.

“Virginia does exactly what an athlete must to get better – she works hard every day,” said Ridgecroft Athletic Director Doug Cobbs. “She works on every aspect of the game and she works in the weight room to improve her abilities.

“We’re proud of Virginia and what she accomplished this year and what we know she will in the next two,” he added.

Outside the high school realm, Lane won the Heritage Cup for the second consecutive time during the past academic year.

As she looks to the future, Lane said she hopes to continue learning more about golf and eventually play on the collegiate level.

“I want to find a good college where I have the opportunity to play,” she said. “I want to advance in golf, get better scores and keep winning tournaments.”

She continues to play golf on a daily basis with her father and plans to continue competing in tournaments.

Lane is the daughter of Todd and Marsha Lane of Winton.